Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Cash and Cash Equivalents, Foreign Currency, and Derivative Instruments (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) derivative	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) derivative	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash [Abstract]
Restricted cash	$ 0	$ 33,860
Foreign Currency
Foreign currency transaction gains (loss)	$ 70,851	$ 58,316	$ 36,201
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
Targeted percentage of debt portfolio to be fixed with interest rates	75.00%
Number of derivative instrument with contingent features of credit risk \| derivative	0	0
The 7 1/4% Notes
Foreign Currency
Stated interest rate (as a percent)	7.25%	7.25%	7.25%
6 3/4% Notes
Foreign Currency
Stated interest rate (as a percent)	6.75%	6.75%	6.75%

No definition available.

Name:	irm_CashAndCashEquivalentsAndRestrictedCashAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	irm_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the number of derivative instruments with contingent features of credit risk.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	irm_NumberOfDerivativeInstrumentsWithContingentFeaturesOfCreditRisk
Namespace Prefix:	irm_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ 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_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount before tax of foreign currency transaction realized and unrealized gain (loss) recognized in the income statement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 830
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6450222&loc=d3e30840-110895

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 830
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6450189&loc=d3e30700-110894

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 830
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6450189&loc=d3e30690-110894

+ Details

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

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyTranslationAbstract
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

+ Details

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

- Definition

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalent items which are restricted as to withdrawal or usage. Restrictions may include legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against short-term borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or entity statements of intention with regard to particular deposits; however, time deposits and short-term certificates of deposit are not generally included in legally restricted deposits. Excludes compensating balance arrangements that are not agreements which legally restrict the use of cash amounts shown on the balance sheet. For a classified balance sheet represents the current portion only (the noncurrent portion has a separate concept); there is a separate and distinct element for unclassified presentations.

+ 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 210.5-02.1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

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

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=irm_GBPSeniorSubordinatedNotes7.25PercentDue2014Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=irm_EuroSeniorSubordinatedNotes6.75PercentDue2018Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: