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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
item
Dec. 31, 2013
item
Dec. 31, 2012
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash      
Restricted cash $ 33,860us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue $ 33,860us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue  
Foreign Currency      
Foreign currency transaction gains (loss) $ (58,316)us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax $ (36,201)us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax $ (10,223)us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities      
Targeted percentage of debt portfolio to be fixed with interest rates 75.00%us-gaap_LongTermDebtPercentageBearingFixedInterestRate    
Number of derivative instrument with contingent features of credit risk 0irm_NumberOfDerivativeInstrumentsWithContingentFeaturesOfCreditRisk 0irm_NumberOfDerivativeInstrumentsWithContingentFeaturesOfCreditRisk  
The 7 1/4% Notes      
Debt      
Stated interest rate (as a percent) 7.25%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= irm_GBPSeniorSubordinatedNotes7.25PercentDue2014Member
7.25%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= irm_GBPSeniorSubordinatedNotes7.25PercentDue2014Member
7.25%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= irm_GBPSeniorSubordinatedNotes7.25PercentDue2014Member
6 3/4% Notes      
Debt      
Stated interest rate (as a percent) 6.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= irm_EuroSeniorSubordinatedNotes6.75PercentDue2018Member
6.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= irm_EuroSeniorSubordinatedNotes6.75PercentDue2018Member
6.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= irm_EuroSeniorSubordinatedNotes6.75PercentDue2018Member