Divestitures and Discontinued Operations Divestiture Net Earnings (Loss) Schedule (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2010
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net revenues	$ 3,928.5		$ 3,730.3	$ 11,328.2		$ 10,367.4
Loss on sale/asset impairment	(264.8)		0	(651.6)		0
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Ingersoll-Rand plc	86.2		232.2	100.9		430.1
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to Ingersoll-Rand plc ordinary shareholders:	$ 0.28		$ 0.80	$ 0.43		$ 1.62
Hussmann Divestiture [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net revenues	281.8		319.4	781.7		839.1
Loss on sale/asset impairment	(264.8)	[1],[2]	0	(651.6)	[1],[2]	0
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Ingersoll-Rand plc	$ (157.9)		$ 26.8	$ (528.3)		$ 49.8
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to Ingersoll-Rand plc ordinary shareholders:	$ (0.46)		$ 0.08	$ (1.52)		$ 0.15

[1] During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company recorded a pre-tax loss on sale and impairment charges related to the Hussmann divestiture totaling $264.8 million and $651.6 million, respectively. These charges have been excluded from Segment operating income within the Climate Solutions segment as management excludes these charges from Operating income when making operating decisions about the business.

[2] Included in Loss on sale/asset impairment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 are transaction costs of $8.4 million and $11.6 million, respectively.