Commitments and Contingencies (Cost/Income Asbestos Related Claims after Recoveries) (Details) (Asbestos Issue [Member], USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Asbestos Issue [Member]
Continuing operations	$ 0.3	$ (1.4)
Discontinued operations	(1.5)	(3.7)
Total	$ (1.2)	$ (5.1)

Discontinued Operations Costs Income Asbestos Related Settlement And Defense

No definition available.

Name:	ir_DiscontinuedOperationsCostsIncomeAsbestosRelatedSettlementAndDefense
Namespace Prefix:	ir_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration