FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

9. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The Company applies the provisions of ASC Topic 820 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” in determining the fair value of its financial and nonfinancial assets and liabilities. ASC Topic 820 establishes a valuation hierarchy for disclosure of the inputs to valuation used to measure fair value. This hierarchy prioritizes the inputs into three broad levels as follows. Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 inputs are quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly through market corroboration. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs based on our own assumptions used to measure assets and liabilities at fair value. A financial asset or liability’s classification within the hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

In May 2011 the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04, Fair Value Measurements (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in US GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) (“ASU 2011-04”). ASU 2011-04 represents the converged guidance of the FASB and the IASB (the “Boards”) on fair value measurements. The collective efforts of the Boards and their staffs, reflected in ASU 2011-04, have resulted in common requirements for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements, including a consistent meaning of the term “fair value.” The Boards have concluded the common requirements will result in greater comparability of fair value measurements presented and disclosed in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP and IFRSs. The amendments in this ASU are required to be applied prospectively, and are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company adopted the provisions of ASU 2011-04 on January 1, 2012 and its adoption did not have a significant impact on the Company’s current fair value measurements or disclosures. The adoption is not expected to have a significant effect on any future fair value measurements or disclosures.

The following table provides the assets and liabilities carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2012 (in thousands):

	Asset (Liability)			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3
Interest rate swaps		(16,493	)		—		(16,493	)		—

Interest rate swaps are over the counter securities with no quoted readily available Level 1 inputs, and therefore are measured at fair value using inputs that are directly observable in active markets and are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy, using the income approach.

During 2012, assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis included the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection with the acquisition of 14 storage facilities (see note 4). To determine the fair value of land, the Company used prices per acre derived from observed transactions involving comparable land in similar locations, which is considered a Level 2 input. To determine the fair value of buildings, equipment and improvements, the Company used current replacement cost based on information derived from construction industry data by geographic region as adjusted for the age and condition of these assets, which are considered Level 2 and 3 inputs. The fair value of in-place customer leases is based on the rent lost due to the amount of time required to replace existing customers which is based on the Company’s historical experience with turnover in its facilities, which is a Level 3 input. Other assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the acquisitions consist primarily of prepaid or accrued real estate taxes and deferred revenues from advance monthly rentals paid by customers. The fair values of these assets and liabilities are based on their carrying values as they typically turn over within one year from the acquisition date and these are Level 3 inputs.