Business Segments (Schedule of Information on Company's Business Segments) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 546,693	$ 518,445	$ 1,090,689	$ 1,012,893
Operating income	112,088	99,559	225,923	194,271
Interest expense	10,405	10,597	20,862	21,154
Other income (expense) - net	(137)	(573)	707	706
Income before income taxes	101,546	88,389	205,768	173,823
Total assets	2,990,997		2,990,997		2,887,577
Intersegment elimination
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	(1,261)	(2,146)	(4,285)	(3,834)
Corporate office and other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income	(15,657)	(14,754)	(34,106)	(28,620)
Total assets	270,962		270,962		264,540
Fluid & Metering Technologies
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment sales	226,100	225,488	449,461	437,243
Operating income	55,623	56,115	112,030	104,194
Total assets	1,041,890		1,041,890		1,025,352
Fluid & Metering Technologies | External customers
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment sales	225,866	225,214	448,873	436,621
Fluid & Metering Technologies | Intersegment elimination
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment sales	234	274	588	622
Health & Science Technologies
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment sales	185,672	180,867	372,047	353,735
Operating income	36,137	34,522	72,366	66,789
Total assets	1,152,486		1,152,486		1,113,546
Health & Science Technologies | External customers
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment sales	184,849	179,111	368,741	350,785
Health & Science Technologies | Intersegment elimination
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment sales	823	1,756	3,306	2,950
Fire & Safety/Diversified Products
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment sales	136,182	114,236	273,466	225,749
Operating income	35,985	23,676	75,633	51,908
Total assets	525,659		525,659		484,139
Fire & Safety/Diversified Products | External customers
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment sales	135,978	114,120	273,075	225,487
Fire & Safety/Diversified Products | Intersegment elimination
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment sales	$ 204	$ 116	$ 391	$ 262