Divestitures and Discontinued Operations Divestiture - Net earnings (loss) schedule (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net revenues		$ 14,782.0		$ 14,001.1	$ 13,009.1
Loss on sale/asset impairment		(646.9)		0	0
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Ingersoll-Rand plc		343.2		642.2	451.3
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to Ingersoll-Rand plc ordinary shareholders, in dollars per share		$ 1.18		$ 2.24	$ 1.48
Hussmann Divestiture [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net revenues		818.5	[1]	1,106.1	1,008.9
Loss on sale/asset impairment	(260.0)	(646.9)	[1],[2],[3]	0	0
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Ingersoll-Rand plc		$ (513.1)	[1]	$ 55.7	$ 13.1
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to Ingersoll-Rand plc ordinary shareholders, in dollars per share		$ (1.51)	[1]	$ 0.16	$ 0.04

[1] Results represent the operating results of Hussmann Business and Branches through their respective divestiture transaction dates.

[2] Included in Loss on sale/asset impairment for the year ended December 31, 2011 are transaction costs of $12.2 million

[3] During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company recorded a pre-tax loss on sale and impairment charges related to the Hussmann divestiture of $646.9 million. 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