Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Summary of Property, Plant and Equipment

	2011			2010
Land	$	68,793		$	67,516
Buildings and improvements		103,735			101,490
Transportation equipment		80,012			76,061
Storage facilities		141,680			128,801
Equipment, primarily cylinders and tanks		1,171,418			1,093,894
Other, including construction in process		23,244			42,266
Gross property, plant and equipment		1,588,882			1,510,028
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization		(943,127	)		(867,250	)
Net property, plant and equipment	$	645,755		$	642,778