XML 49 R6.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Trade receivables, allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 7,862us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent	$ 7,821us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent
Common stock, par value (dollars per share)	$ 0us-gaap_CommonStockNoParValue	$ 0us-gaap_CommonStockNoParValue
Preferred Stock, 4 1/2% Cumulative
Percentage of cumulative preferred stock	4.50%msa_PercentageOfCumulativePreferredStock / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_PreferredStockMember	4.50%msa_PercentageOfCumulativePreferredStock / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_PreferredStockMember
Preferred stock, par value (dollars per share)	$ 50us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_PreferredStockMember	$ 50us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_PreferredStockMember

X

- Definition

Percentage of cumulative preferred stock.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	msa_PercentageOfCumulativePreferredStock
Namespace Prefix:	msa_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

A valuation allowance for trade and other receivables due to an Entity within one year (or the normal operating cycle, whichever is longer) that are expected to be uncollectible.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 4

-Article 5



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35738203&loc=d3e5074-111524



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.4)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Face amount per share of no-par value common stock.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.29)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682



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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 30

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CommonStockNoParValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Face amount or stated value per share of preferred stock nonredeemable or redeemable solely at the option of the issuer.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.28)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682



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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 29

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis=us-gaap_PreferredStockMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: