XML 127 R112.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.6.0.2

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts |  |  |
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |
Currency translation gains (losses) | $ (203) | $ (535) | $ (332)
Income Tax Valuation Allowance |  |  |
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |
Currency translation gains (losses) | $ 113 | $ 392 | $ (643)

X
- Definition Increase (Decrease) To Valuation And Qualifying Accounts For Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | msa_IncreaseDecreaseToValuationAndQualifyingAccountsForForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustment
Namespace Prefix: | msa_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDisclosureLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis=us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis=msa_IncomeTaxValuationAllowanceMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |