Schedule of Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Goodwill, gross		$ 1,461,456
Accumulated impairment losses		(30,090)
Beginning Balance	1,321,727	1,431,366
Acquisition adjustments		1,424
Acquisitions (Note 12)	17,994	50,387
Foreign currency translation	9,735	9,091
Goodwill impairment		(170,541)
Ending Balance	1,349,456	1,321,727
Fluid & Metering Technologies
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Goodwill, gross		541,640
Accumulated impairment losses		0
Beginning Balance	524,325	541,640
Acquisition adjustments		0
Acquisitions (Note 12)	0	0
Foreign currency translation	3,719	3,406
Goodwill impairment	(20,700)	(20,721)
Ending Balance	528,044	524,325
Health & Science Technologies
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Goodwill, gross		648,906
Accumulated impairment losses		0
Beginning Balance	553,204	648,906
Acquisition adjustments		1,424
Acquisitions (Note 12)	17,994	50,387
Foreign currency translation	477	2,307
Goodwill impairment	(149,800)	(149,820)
Ending Balance	571,675	553,204
Fire & Safety/Diversified Products
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Goodwill, gross		270,910
Accumulated impairment losses		(30,090)
Beginning Balance	244,198	240,820
Acquisition adjustments		0
Acquisitions (Note 12)	0	0
Foreign currency translation	5,539	3,378
Goodwill impairment		0
Ending Balance	$ 249,737	$ 244,198