CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ 5,940	$ 23,517	$ 54,007	$ 41,739	$ 13,403	$ 858	$ 272,376	$ 42,109	$ 125,203	$ 328,746	$ 99,992
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments									(100,970)	(66,867)	(31,532)
Market Value Adjustments for Securities									(245)	53	926
Total Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income									(101,215)	(66,814)	(30,606)
Comprehensive Income (Loss)									23,988	261,932	69,386
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests									633	2,184	1,898
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Iron Mountain Incorporated									$ 23,355	$ 259,748	$ 67,488