AFCI's detect patterns of current that usually indicate some sort of electrical problem. Unlike a GFCI which is making sure that current going out = current coming back, AFCI's try to look for electrical usage that would not trip a GFCI but might be something causing an electrical fire. Most code now requires them for bedroom circuits.
The one major drawback for them is that some stuff tricks them into tripping. Often times larger machines with motors, like a vacuum cleaner or power tool can trip them. They are still a good thing to have, just be aware of this limitation
Let's get one thing straight. Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter protection for personnel is designed and intended to protect a human (or any animal I guess), from being electrocuted (killed) due to an electrical fault. In most situations, the grounding system will handle any direct faults to ground. A GFCI devices is there to protect you, if you happen to come into contact with an energized conductor.
Let's also be clear that a GFCI device may not protect you from a shock, but should protect you from death (electrocution).
Examples:
You grab hold of the ungrounded "hot" conductor.
In this situation, the GFCI device should disconnect the circuit before you are killed.
The frame of a device is energized, and for some reason the grounding system has not performed its job, and you come into contact with the energized frame of the device.
In this situation, the GFCI device should disconnect the circuit before you are killed.
A GFCI device is there to protect you, from death.
But why does it seem like codes tend to require GFCI protection in locations where there is water, like bathrooms and kitchens?
The simple answer is that when your skin is wet, it's a better conductor. Because of this, you could potentially provide a fairly good path to ground. It's also important to provide this protection in bathrooms and kitchens, because it's common for plumbing in homes to be grounded.
Let's say you're washing your face in the sink. The water is running, as you reach for a towel. You reach with one hand to turn the water off, while the other fumbles for the towel. While you're still holding the faucet with one hand, the other hand accidentally finds the non-GFCI protected receptacle. The electricity races through your wet hand, across your body, and out your other hand into the well grounded faucet. While crossing your body, the electricity ran right through your heart causing it to stop. Now, you're dead.
If it was a GFCI protected receptacle, you would have gotten a bit of a shock and a scare. But you'd still be alive.
As for the question asked...
Put an imaginary box around the tub/shower, and extend it all the way up to the ceiling. If any part of the exhaust fan is within the box, you should GFCI protect the fan as per the installation instructions.
If it makes you feel safer, then by all means GFCI protect the fan.
Best Answer
My guess is that it stands for Uniform Fire Code Listed and means that all components in the circuit have been tested to conform to the Uniform Fire Code, i.e. NFPA 1. (I'm extrapolating from a UL or cULus listing meaning that a product has been tested to the appropriate UL standard.) Since the National Electrical Code is part of the NFPA standards, that would imply that the circuit must meet requirements for a bathroom circuit, i.e. GFCI protection.
They would be called out separately in their literature because UL and the NFPA are separate, independent, organizations.