Consolidated Statements Of Shareholders' Equity (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2009
Consolidated Statements Of Shareholders' Equity [Abstract]
Unrecognized actuarial loss, tax	$ 2,689	$ 1,422	$ 7,488
Interest rate swap, tax	(187)	(385)	62
Stock options and stock compensation plans, tax benefit	$ (55)	$ (105)	$ (325)
Cash dividends declared per share	$ 0.32	$ 0.32

Tax benefit from stock options exercised and stock compensation plans.

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Namespace Prefix:	ese
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Aggregate dividends declared during the period for each share of common stock outstanding.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Article 3

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6959260&loc=d3e187085-122770

+ Details

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Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Tax effects of the increase (decrease) to accumulated comprehensive income during the period related to benefit plans. While for technical reasons this element has no balance attribute, the default assumption is a credit balance consistent with its label.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 130

-Paragraph 25

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 220

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 12

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6920043&loc=d3e640-108580

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)

-Number 51

-Paragraph 38

-Subparagraph c(3)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Total tax effect of the change in accumulated gains and losses from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges. The change includes an entity's share of an equity investee's increase or decrease in deferred hedging gains or losses. While for technical reasons this element has no balance attribute, the default assumption is a credit balance consistent with its label.

+ References

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
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Balance Type:	na
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- Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration