The amount of cash received during the period on settlement of a hedge.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeCashReceivedOnHedge
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesDisclosureAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The interest rate applicable to the portion of the carrying amount of long-term borrowings outstanding as of the balance sheet date, including current maturities, which accrues interest at a set, unchanging rate.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebtPercentageBearingFixedInterestRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Aggregate notional amount of foreign currency derivatives to purchase a foreign currency. Notional amount refers to the number of currency units specified in the foreign currency derivative contract.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1B

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=SL5580258-113959

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Notional Amount

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6519104

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1A

-Subparagraph (d)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=SL5579245-113959

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NotionalAmountOfForeignCurrencyDerivativePurchaseContracts
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Aggregate notional amount of foreign currency derivatives to sell a foreign currency. Notional amount refers to the number of currency units specified in the foreign currency derivative contract.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NotionalAmountOfForeignCurrencyDerivativeSaleContracts
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Details) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012 Foreign exchange contracts USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2011 Foreign exchange contracts USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2012 Foreign exchange contracts USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2011 Foreign exchange contracts USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2012 Iron Mountain Europe Limited ("IME") U.S. dollars:British pounds sterling USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2012 Iron Mountain Europe Limited ("IME") U.S. dollars:British pounds sterling GBP (£)	Jun. 30, 2012 Iron Mountain Australia Pty Ltd U.S. dollars:Australian dollars USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2012 Iron Mountain Australia Pty Ltd U.S. dollars:Australian dollars AUD
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
Percent of debt portfolio with fixed interest rates	75.00%
Derivative instruments
Notional amount of outstanding forward contracts, purchases						$ 197,987		$ 76,613
Notional amount of outstanding forward contracts, sales							125,000		75,000
Net cash disbursements (receipts) from foreign currency forward contracts		$ 2,284	$ 5,559	$ 3,787	$ 9,184