Selected Consolidated Financial Statements of Parent, Guarantors, Canada Company and Non-Guarantors - Consolidated Statement of Operations (Details) - 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
Revenues:
Storage Rental									$ 1,837,897	$ 1,860,243	$ 1,784,721
Service									1,170,079	1,257,450	1,239,902
Intercompany service									0	0	0
Total Revenues	$ 752,427	$ 746,529	$ 759,734	$ 749,286	$ 777,978	$ 782,697	$ 786,892	$ 770,126	3,007,976	3,117,693	3,024,623
Operating Expenses:
Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization)									1,290,025	1,344,636	1,288,878
Intercompany service charges									0	0	0
Selling, general and administrative									844,960	869,572	924,031
Depreciation and amortization									345,464	353,143	322,037
Loss (Gain) on disposal/write-down of property, plant and equipment (excluding real estate), net									3,000	1,065	430
Total Operating Expenses									2,483,449	2,568,416	2,535,376
Operating (Loss) Income	123,269	126,822	129,502	144,934	127,895	141,476	147,290	132,616	524,527	549,277	489,247
Interest Expense (Income), Net									263,871	260,717	254,174
Other Expense (Income), Net									98,590	65,187	75,202
(Loss) Income from Continuing Operations Before Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes and Gain on Sale of Real Estate									162,066	223,373	159,871
(Benefit) Provision for Income Taxes									37,713	(97,275)	62,127
Gain on Sale of Real Estate, Net of Tax									(850)	(8,307)	(1,417)
Equity in the (Earnings) Losses of Subsidiaries, Net of Tax									0	0	0
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations	5,940	23,517	54,007	41,739	12,674	858	272,702	42,721	125,203	328,955	99,161
(Loss) Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax	0	0	0	0	729	0	(326)	(612)	0	(209)	831
Net Income (Loss)	5,940	23,517	54,007	41,739	13,403	858	272,376	42,109	125,203	328,746	99,992
Less: Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests									1,962	2,627	3,530
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Iron Mountain Incorporated	5,705	23,110	53,330	41,096	12,749	66	271,637	41,667	123,241	326,119	96,462
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
Equity in Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income of Subsidiaries									0	0	0
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
Eliminations
Revenues:
Storage Rental									0	0	0
Service									0	0	0
Intercompany service									(74,992)	(64,794)	(32,810)
Total Revenues									(74,992)	(64,794)	(32,810)
Operating Expenses:
Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization)									0	0	0
Intercompany service charges									(74,992)	(64,794)	(32,810)
Selling, general and administrative									0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization									0	0	0
Loss (Gain) on disposal/write-down of property, plant and equipment (excluding real estate), net									0	0	0
Total Operating Expenses									(74,992)	(64,794)	(32,810)
Operating (Loss) Income									0	0	0
Interest Expense (Income), Net									0	0	0
Other Expense (Income), Net									0	0	0
(Loss) Income from Continuing Operations Before Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes and Gain on Sale of Real Estate									0	0	0
(Benefit) Provision for Income Taxes									0	0	0
Gain on Sale of Real Estate, Net of Tax									0	0	0
Equity in the (Earnings) Losses of Subsidiaries, Net of Tax									139,432	351,151	445,717
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations										(351,151)	(445,717)
(Loss) Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax										0	0
Net Income (Loss)									(139,432)	(351,151)	(445,717)
Less: Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests									0	0	0
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Iron Mountain Incorporated									(139,432)	(351,151)	(445,717)
Net Income (Loss)									(139,432)	(351,151)	(445,717)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments									0	0	0
Market Value Adjustments for Securities									0	0	0
Equity in Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income of Subsidiaries									228,870	156,376	67,732
Total Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income									228,870	156,376	67,732
Comprehensive Income (Loss)									89,438	(194,775)	(377,985)
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests									0	0	0
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Iron Mountain Incorporated									89,438	(194,775)	(377,985)
Parent | Reportable legal entities
Revenues:
Storage Rental									0	0	0
Service									0	0	0
Intercompany service									0	0	0
Total Revenues									0	0	0
Operating Expenses:
Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization)									0	0	0
Intercompany service charges									0	0	0
Selling, general and administrative									117	1,182	227
Depreciation and amortization									181	225	319
Loss (Gain) on disposal/write-down of property, plant and equipment (excluding real estate), net									0	0	5
Total Operating Expenses									298	1,407	551
Operating (Loss) Income									(298)	(1,407)	(551)
Interest Expense (Income), Net									159,848	187,650	206,682
Other Expense (Income), Net									23,675	78	54,144
(Loss) Income from Continuing Operations Before Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes and Gain on Sale of Real Estate									(183,821)	(189,135)	(261,377)
(Benefit) Provision for Income Taxes									0	0	(16)
Gain on Sale of Real Estate, Net of Tax									0	0	0
Equity in the (Earnings) Losses of Subsidiaries, Net of Tax									(307,062)	(515,254)	(357,823)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations										326,119	96,462
(Loss) Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax										0	0
Net Income (Loss)									123,241	326,119	96,462
Less: Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests									0	0	0
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Iron Mountain Incorporated									123,241	326,119	96,462
Net Income (Loss)									123,241	326,119	96,462
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments									3,284	6,328	(3,237)
Market Value Adjustments for Securities									0	0	0
Equity in Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income of Subsidiaries									(103,170)	(72,662)	(25,737)
Total Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income									(99,886)	(66,334)	(28,974)
Comprehensive Income (Loss)									23,355	259,785	67,488
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests									0	0	0
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Iron Mountain Incorporated									23,355	259,785	67,488
Guarantors | Reportable legal entities
Revenues:
Storage Rental									1,226,299	1,208,380	1,174,978
Service									734,883	749,711	754,090
Intercompany service									3,476	0	0
Total Revenues									1,964,658	1,958,091	1,929,068
Operating Expenses:
Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization)									788,278	793,274	771,271
Intercompany service charges									13,384	0	0
Selling, general and administrative									594,994	580,568	655,052
Depreciation and amortization									224,214	214,341	195,794
Loss (Gain) on disposal/write-down of property, plant and equipment (excluding real estate), net									962	829	(100)
Total Operating Expenses									1,621,832	1,589,012	1,622,017
Operating (Loss) Income									342,826	369,079	307,051
Interest Expense (Income), Net									(30,559)	(23,295)	(19,731)
Other Expense (Income), Net									(82,820)	(203,380)	1,283
(Loss) Income from Continuing Operations Before Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes and Gain on Sale of Real Estate									456,205	595,754	325,499
(Benefit) Provision for Income Taxes									13,632	(114,947)	33,767
Gain on Sale of Real Estate, Net of Tax									0	(196)	0
Equity in the (Earnings) Losses of Subsidiaries, Net of Tax									135,720	196,310	(63,775)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations										514,587	355,507
(Loss) Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax										(937)	(529)
Net Income (Loss)									306,853	513,650	354,978
Less: Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests									0	0	0
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Iron Mountain Incorporated									306,853	513,650	354,978
Net Income (Loss)									306,853	513,650	354,978
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments									0	47	1,177
Market Value Adjustments for Securities									(245)	53	926
Equity in Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income of Subsidiaries									(103,521)	(73,696)	(26,862)
Total Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income									(103,766)	(73,596)	(24,759)
Comprehensive Income (Loss)									203,087	440,054	330,219
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests									0	0	0
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Iron Mountain Incorporated									203,087	440,054	330,219
Canada Company | Reportable legal entities
Revenues:
Storage Rental									118,908	124,551	129,987
Service									61,717	68,669	35,119
Intercompany service									0	0	0
Total Revenues									180,625	193,220	165,106
Operating Expenses:
Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization)									25,213	23,040	27,354
Intercompany service charges									58,132	64,794	32,810
Selling, general and administrative									14,734	13,304	15,792
Depreciation and amortization									12,427	11,797	12,383
Loss (Gain) on disposal/write-down of property, plant and equipment (excluding real estate), net									41	173	21
Total Operating Expenses									110,547	113,108	88,360
Operating (Loss) Income									70,078	80,112	76,746
Interest Expense (Income), Net									36,521	36,946	40,537
Other Expense (Income), Net									55,230	(91)	5,410
(Loss) Income from Continuing Operations Before Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes and Gain on Sale of Real Estate									(21,673)	43,257	30,799
(Benefit) Provision for Income Taxes									12,787	12,876	12,361
Gain on Sale of Real Estate, Net of Tax									0	(832)	0
Equity in the (Earnings) Losses of Subsidiaries, Net of Tax									(2,552)	(992)	(5,681)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations										32,205	24,119
(Loss) Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax										0	0
Net Income (Loss)									(31,908)	32,205	24,119
Less: Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests									0	0	0
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Iron Mountain Incorporated									(31,908)	32,205	24,119
Net Income (Loss)									(31,908)	32,205	24,119
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments									(19,003)	(10,306)	(11,096)
Market Value Adjustments for Securities									0	0	0
Equity in Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income of Subsidiaries									(3,176)	288	(4,037)
Total Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income									(22,179)	(10,018)	(15,133)
Comprehensive Income (Loss)									(54,087)	22,187	8,986
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests									0	0	0
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Iron Mountain Incorporated									(54,087)	22,187	8,986
Non-Guarantors | Reportable legal entities
Revenues:
Storage Rental									492,690	527,312	479,756
Service									373,479	439,070	450,693
Intercompany service									71,516	64,794	32,810
Total Revenues									937,685	1,031,176	963,259
Operating Expenses:
Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization)									476,534	528,322	490,253
Intercompany service charges									3,476	0	0
Selling, general and administrative									235,115	274,518	252,960
Depreciation and amortization									108,642	126,780	113,541
Loss (Gain) on disposal/write-down of property, plant and equipment (excluding real estate), net									1,997	63	504
Total Operating Expenses									825,764	929,683	857,258
Operating (Loss) Income									111,921	101,493	106,001
Interest Expense (Income), Net									98,061	59,416	26,686
Other Expense (Income), Net									102,505	268,580	14,365
(Loss) Income from Continuing Operations Before Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes and Gain on Sale of Real Estate									(88,645)	(226,503)	64,950
(Benefit) Provision for Income Taxes									11,294	4,796	16,015
Gain on Sale of Real Estate, Net of Tax									(850)	(7,279)	(1,417)
Equity in the (Earnings) Losses of Subsidiaries, Net of Tax									34,462	(31,215)	(18,438)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations										(192,805)	68,790
(Loss) Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax										728	1,360
Net Income (Loss)									(133,551)	(192,077)	70,150
Less: Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests									1,962	2,627	3,530
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Iron Mountain Incorporated									(135,513)	(194,704)	66,620
Net Income (Loss)									(133,551)	(192,077)	70,150
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments									(85,251)	(62,936)	(18,376)
Market Value Adjustments for Securities									0	0	0
Equity in Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income of Subsidiaries									(19,003)	(10,306)	(11,096)
Total Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income									(104,254)	(73,242)	(29,472)
Comprehensive Income (Loss)									(237,805)	(265,319)	40,678
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests									633	2,184	1,898
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Iron Mountain Incorporated									$ (238,438)	$ (267,503)	$ 38,780