Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Income tax rate	28.40%	13.70%
Total gross liability for unrecognized tax benefits	$ 55		$ 54
Shared Tax Liabilities description	Costs and expenses associated with the management of Shared Tax Liabilities, Distribution Taxes and BHS Tax Liabilities will generally be shared 20% by us, 27.5% by ADT and 52.5% by Tyco.
Percentage of Shared Tax Liabilities	20.00%
2012 Tax Sharing Agreement
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Shared Tax Liabilities description	Tyco is responsible for the first $500 million of Shared Tax Liabilities. We and ADT will share 42% and 58%, respectively, of the next $225 million of Shared Tax Liabilities. We, ADT and Tyco will share 20%, 27.5% and 52.5%, respectively, of Shared Tax Liabilities above $725 million.
Next $225 million of Shared Tax Liabilities | 2012 Tax Sharing Agreement
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Percentage of Shared Tax Liabilities	42.00%
Tax Liabilities above $725 million | 2012 Tax Sharing Agreement
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Percentage of Shared Tax Liabilities	20.00%
ADT
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Percentage of Shared Tax Liabilities	27.50%
ADT | Next $225 million of Shared Tax Liabilities | 2012 Tax Sharing Agreement
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Percentage of Shared Tax Liabilities	58.00%
ADT | Tax Liabilities above $725 million | 2012 Tax Sharing Agreement
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Percentage of Shared Tax Liabilities	27.50%
Tyco
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Percentage of Shared Tax Liabilities	52.50%
Tyco | Tax Liabilities above $725 million | 2012 Tax Sharing Agreement
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Percentage of Shared Tax Liabilities	52.50%