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, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Asbestos Issue [Member]
Continuing operations	$ (2.1)	$ 0.3
Discontinued operations	(2.4)	(1.5)
Total	$ (4.5)	$ (1.2)

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