Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ 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
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
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 income (loss)	123,269	126,822	129,502	144,934	127,895	141,476	147,290	132,616	524,527	549,277	489,247
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
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
Earnings (Losses) per Share—Basic:
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.03	$ 0.11	$ 0.26	$ 0.20	$ 0.06	$ 0.00	$ 1.42	$ 0.22	$ 0.59	$ 1.68	$ 0.52
Total (loss) income income discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Iron Mountain Incorporated (in dollars per share)	0.03	0.11	0.25	0.20	0.06	0.00	1.41	0.22	0.58	1.67	0.51
Earnings (Losses) per Share—Diluted:
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations (in dollars per share)	0.03	0.11	0.25	0.20	0.06	0.00	1.41	0.22	0.59	1.67	0.52
Total (loss) income from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Iron Mountain Incorporated ( in dollars per share)	$ 0.03	$ 0.11	$ 0.25	$ 0.19	$ 0.06	$ 0.00	$ 1.40	$ 0.22	$ 0.58	$ 1.66	$ 0.50
Change in net income (loss)
Change in net income (loss) attributable to reduction in the provision for income taxes	$ (6,800)				$ 54,000
Change in net income (loss) attributable to Iron Mountain Incorporated due to decrease in operating income	3,600				13,600
Change in other expenses attributable to reduction in debt extinguishment charges	25,100				16,500
Change in net income (loss) attributable to Iron Mountain Incorporated due to increase in interest expense					9,800
Decrease in operating income attributable to professional fees and charitable contributions					8,300
Change in revenue due to unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates	18,100				$ 4,700
Change in net income (loss) attributable to Iron Mountain Incorporated due to property write off	$ 1,800